In friendship groups there are always different types of friends within the friendship group, e.g. the loud one, the arty one, the one with the funny laugh or the one who can never seem to stop talking (hint, if you can't think of this friend in your group, then it's probably you!), but there's always that one friend who, no matter how little you see them, you know will always be there for you. I noticed this only today when I had a quick trip to town with my friend Darcy- insert cringey year old picture of us here, I'm the one on the right-
and even though I haven't been seeing her as much now that we aren't at school together, I noticed today how she is always listening to me when I'm blabbering on about something, and I mean really listening, not just pretending like a lot of people do. It made me feel a bit bad, because recently I haven't always been there for her, and it made me appreciate her a lot more. She's really the only person in my life that I can talk to about anything and not get judged for saying it, and even though we've been friends for 12 years now and she was probably always there for me to talk to, when I was younger and going through a rough patch in my life I never really took notice of her being there for me, which I really should've done. If you feel like you're having a rough day, don't be blind to that one person who will listen to how you're feeling, no matter who they are because trust me, it helps so much to let your emotions out instead of letting them clog up inside you, and the person you're talking to will be able to give you some advice on how to deal with the situation.
When I was younger and in a much worse state than I'm in now, in terms of friends and my self esteem, Darcy was really the only real friend that I had. We were both the quiet ones of the group and we could never stick up for ourselves, which lead to both of us getting quite upset and needing each other for support. Now, a few years later, I definitely still look to her for support, even if I may take her for granted sometimes. She truly is a diamond in the ruff to me, and I'll always be thankful for everything.
Having days out with people who mean a lot to you really makes you appreciate things more. One thing I really did appreciate today was the Subway sandwich I bought, because food is always appreciated so much more when devoured on an empty stomach.
Mmmm, this was one tasty sandwich (as you can probably tell by the bite I took out of it). Is it just me who has to order the same sandwich every time they go to Subway? I like to live my life by a routine, and as soon as I find a combination or an order at a shop that I enjoy, then I will never try to find anything different to eat. Why try something else when what you've got is what you like?
For any of you that are interested, at Subway I order a 6-inch Hearty Italian ham and cheese toasted, with lettuce, cucumber and tomatoes, no sauce, usually with a coke and a packet of Tangy Cheese Doritos. Sometimes I feel like I'm hungry enough to manage a full foot long, but then I chicken out due to the fact that there is always an attractive male at the counter, who I'm sure will judge me if I order a huge sandwich. I'm not very good with change, so changing my Subway choice would probably not be a good idea, although maybe a possibility if I get braver in the future.
Looking back on my early high school life, it seems crazy that I survived those years the way that I did, because things are so different now and I couldn't be more happy about the changes I've made to my life. If you guys want me to talk more about my past experiences with growing up in a friendship group that was definitely no picnic, then please ask! I'm always up for talking about my personal problems and how I dealt with them, I just don't want to be talking about them if no one really wants to know!
Hey guys, so this is my everyday skincare/makeup routine. This will probably change over time on this blog so if anyone wants me to update this routine as time goes on, just let me know! Obviously I may use the occasional different product as I couldn't show them all, and some days my skin may feel worse than others so I might use a face mask before my makeup or a different moisturiser, but this is the general everyday look. Enjoy!
1. Face Wash
I've been using this product for a while now, and it helps to wake up my face in the morning, especially when I'm having one of those 'ugh' mornings (you know what I mean), where I just don't seem to want to wake up. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who suffers from acne or dry skin, as this hydrates your skin and opens up any clogged pores.
2. Moisteriser
This moisteriser is a definite for dry skin. For my acne I was prescribed a cream, which although drastically got rid of my spots, did give me small amounts of dry skin patches. I wouldn't recommend this for people with oily skin, as the moisteriser itself is quite oily and liquid-y, but it feels so light and soft on the skin and cleared up any dry skin I had almost instantly.
3. Foundation
I would always advise using a moisturiser or a primer before applying foundation, as it helps to keep your skin healthier and less susceptible to breakouts. A primer is always useful if you need your makeup to stay on for a long amount of time. The foundation I'm currently using is the 'Maybelline Dream Satin Liquid' in the shade 'Light Porcelain', as I am pretty pale even in the summer, and I think this is a perfect foundation for this time of year. My skin recently has been a lot better, and I've been having less breakouts, and this foundation creates an almost airbrushed, light coverage, but is still able to cover up any minor blemishes I may have.
I apply my foundation using the H&M foundation and powder brush, which kind of speaks for itself. I have a different brush which I use to apply my powder, but I use the powder end of the brush for smoothing out my foundation after I have applied it, just to make sure I'm not looking streaky or that I've blended it all in correctly.
4. Powder
The powder I use is the 'Rimmel London Stay Matte' pressed powder, in the shade 'Peach Glow', which isn't too pale and gives me a light glow on my face. I tend to buy powders a shade darker than what I need, especially in the summer, as I don't use a bronzer and sometimes like to look like I've tanned a little bit! This powder sets my foundation excellently and stays on for long periods of time, although if I need it to stay on all day I will take a spare in my bag for quick touchups!
I apply my powder using a large powder brush, I'm not sure where I got this or what make it is because I've had it a long time. If I find out I'll let you guys know!
5. Concealer
I have been using this concealer since I was about 11 or 12, when my acne first started to appear. It is the 'Rimmel London Hide The Blemish' concealer in the shade 'Sand', and I just use my finger to dab it on any larger blemishes that I need to conceal more urgently. Recently I haven't had to use this as much due to foundation and powder being enough for me to cover up my spots, but it's always handy if I get one larger spot that needs to be concealed, and it will always be my trusty concealer!
6. Eyebrows
For my everyday look I don't use any blusher or bronzer, or anything else on my cheeks, as I like to go for as natural a look as possible. I never used to put anything on my eyebrows, apart from the odd brown eyeshadow, but recently I have been using the 'Topshop Brow Pencil' in 'Blonde'. The brush at one end helps to shape my eyebrows, as being too awkward to go to a salon to get my eyebrows done I prefer to do them myself, and the pencil really helps to bring out the natural shape and the curve I've tried (and failed) to enhance.
7. Eyeliner
When I was at school I never wore eyeliner, I just stuck to mascara for a more natural effect, but now eyeliner has slowly crept into my daily makeup routine, so I thought I would include it. I've experimented with many different eyeliners, both pencil and liquid, but the one I'm loving at the moment is the 'Eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner' in 'Black'. I received this eyeliner in a magazine for only £2, which is an absolute bargain seeing as its sold for £12 in shops! I think I love it more than I should due to the fact that Alexa Chung created her own range of eyeliners for Eyeko, and come on, who doesn't love Alexa Chung?! The eyeliner is in a pen shape, so is perfect for the classic 'cat eye' or eyeliner flick that I've been attempting for so long.
8. Eyelash Curler
I've only recently purchased one of these as it didn't really occur to me to get one until last week, when I was getting sick of having tiny eyelashes that you couldn't really see even with mascara. I bought this one from Boots and I've used it a few times, and I can really see a difference with the shape and length of my eyelashes, plus I don't have to wear as much mascara in order for my eyelashes to show up, and so I can avoid clumping much more easily.
9. Mascara
Due to what I said before about my eyelashes being virtually non-existent, I use three different types of mascara to try and maximise the length as much as I can. I use the 'Collection 2000 Super Size Fat Lash Mascara' as a base coat, to lengthen them out from the eyelid to the tips and to add some definition to them. Secondly, I use the 'Rimmel London Volume Flash x10 Mascara' on my bottom lashes, as it has a smaller brush and does a great job at not allowing any of the lashes to clump together, as I find with my bottom lashes that they are more prone to clumping and sticking together. Finally, I go over both my top and bottom lashes with the 'Rimmel London Extra Wow Lash' to make the tips stand out more and to make the eyelashes look even longer. You'd think with all this mascara they would become more existent, wouldn't you? Thankfully, I only use one coat of each mascara on the lashes so they don't all clump together and end up looking like spiders legs.
10. Lip Balm
On a regular basis I tend to avoid lipsticks or tinted lip products purely because its a hassle trying to keep it neat and applied when you might not be in a place where reapplying it all the time is possible. One thing I hate seeing is chapped lips; it genuinely makes me cringe, so I use 'The Body Shop Born Lippy' in the flavour 'Strawberry' daily. I got given three of these lip balms in different flavours for my birthday last year and ever since I have been obsessed, they stop your lips from chapping, add a tinge of colour to your lips and have a delicious taste to them, all in one!
11. Wipes
I always make sure I take all of my makeup off before bed, even if I haven't been wearing much during the day, because you can guarantee I will wake up the next morning with a huge breakout. I'm sure we've all heard the horror stories about a girl who goes to bed with her mascara on and wakes up with her eyes stuck together, etc etc, and even though I try and be realistic about things, there's no harm in staying on the safe side, right? I've been trying out a variety of wipes, but at the moment I've opted for a cheap, supermarket brand that seem to do the job of taking off makeup pretty well.
12.Spot Cream
This last one isn't something you can buy from the shops. I went to the doctors about 9 months ago to finally get something done about my acne, and they prescribed me tablets and this 'Differin Cream', which I just apply to my face every night. After using this for a long period of time I no longer get huge spots with heads that I have to pop, and my skin has cleared up dramatically, which is always something to be pleased with. However, when I first started using this it did give me large patches of dry skin on my cheeks, so if any of you are prescribed this always use a moisturiser everyday, or only use the cream every other day.
Extras
Just as a little extra, I thought I would show you some of the products I use if I want to add a little something else to my face, or if I'm going for a more dressed up look.
13.Eyeshadow
I currently own two types of eyeshadow palette, which I hadn't ever really used until recently, due to me actually being able to apply eyeshadow at an acceptable standard now. The first palette I own is the 'W7: Beauty On The Go,' which comes with five different pop-out palettes that are then handbag sized, dependent on what colour you are wearing that day. I'm not sure if they sell this in shops anymore due to the fact that I got it a long time ago, but it is perfect for someone who is just starting to use eyeshadow and needs something cheaper and basic to start out with. I am a huge fan of neutral colours and I don't like to wear colours that stand out very often, so I mostly use the brown section of this palette.
The second eyeshadow palette I own is the 'Next Desire' palette. This was given to me as a Christmas present when I was about 13, so again I'm not sure if they still sell it, but I don't use the eyeshadow section of this palette much due to the fact that it isn't very neutral and is much more glamorous, which isn't my style at all. I have used the gold and silver part of this palette occasionally on top of a brown shade just to enhance it a little more and give it a bit more depth.
14.Lip Products
I also have two types of lip product that I like to use whenever its more of an important occasion.
The first is a lip palette, which includes six different tinted lip glosses in different shades. This is the second compartment of the 'Next Desire' palette I mentioned before, and just like the eyeshadow the lip products are very stylish and more for dressing up, rather than just your everyday look. Saying that, I have used each of the lip glosses quite a few times (as you can probably tell from the photo) and have really liked the results, as they give a very professional shine to your lips and are easily applied. This part of the compartment also comes with a highlighter and a bronzer, both of which I only use for special occasions but liked the results of.
The second product is the 'Topshop Lips' in the shade 'Brighton Rock'. I got given this for my birthday a few weeks ago and was very pleased with the result. I'm not much of a bright lipstick sort of person; I tend to stick to the dark reds if any shade at all, but I thought this particular lipstick looked great for the summer. It is a lipstick with a very matte finish and has almost no shine to it at all, so if you like lipsticks that are more glittery then I wouldn't recommend this, although this does stay on your lips incredibly well. Over the next couple of months if the sun decides to shine a bit more you will probably be seeing me wearing this more often!
Hi guys! So this is my FIRST EVER blog post! For any of you reading this out there -whether there is actually anyone reading this is a good question-, but if you are taking the time to read my blog (thank you!), then I think its time to introduce myself.
I'll try and be pretty informal about this, however my natural writing style is to write with a formal tinge so I'm sorry if this doesn't feel as comfortable as it could be (I'm working on it!).
First things first, my name. Whatever you want to call me, Rachel, Ray, Rach (although I'm not the hugest fan of the last one) I don't mind, whatever makes you feel as comforted when reading this as possible, that is my aim. My mum hates anyone to call me anything other than Rachel, but I do like a good nickname, and when Ray popped up a couple of years ago it just sort of stuck. My English teacher in high school liked to refer to me as 'Moggy', due to my last name being Morris and the old cars 'Morris Miners' being nicknamed as Moggies. However, that one didn't really catch on, but at least he tried.
At the moment I'm 16 years old, only just, and I finished high school about three weeks ago, which still seems completely surreal and definitely hasn't sunken in yet. It seems crazy to think that 5 years ago I was nervously awaiting my first day at high school with bated breath, and now I'm nervously awaiting college, although everyone says that college is a great experience, and getting to study subjects that you actually want to study has to be a plus, right? I'll let you guys know how it goes when the day finally arrives, however for right now I'm a little too nervous to be able to see much of a positive side about it.
There are a few reasons why I decided to write this blog. For starters, watching Youtubers and discovering new ones who really deserve more credit has sort of become my life ever since I finished school and now have waaaay too much time on my hands. As much as I love watching the most famous Youtubers, e.g. Zoella, PointlessBlog, SprinkleOfGlitter etc etc, I love finding new people who really inspire me to do what they are doing and to make my own Youtube channel. I think that for shy people who don't really voice how they feel very often (believe it or not, shy people do have feelings and opinions too), and me belonging to the more reserved species, writing a blog is a great way to let out how you're feeling and to say things you wouldn't usually talk about to other people, and many of the Youtubers who are now famous just by talking to a camera suffer from anxiety and feeling as though they can't talk to other people about how they feel.
I'm not exactly sure what I'm going to talk about on this blog. I want to try and help people, especially those who, like me, struggle to talk to people about what they are feeling and instead let it build up inside them until they are fit to bursting with all this emotion, because trust me, I know EXACTLY what that's like, and having someone who understands what you're going through is sometimes just what you need. No, I'm not a councilor (I'm only 16), and that's not what this is about, its just about me being able to empathise with people and to sort out any problems that I can help with. Of course, I will also be creating blog posts on many aspects of my life, whether it be my friends, family, fashion, makeup, or whatever I feel like blogging about, but helping people and attempting to bring a little bit of 'sunshine' into their lives will also be a big aspect of this blog.
Of course, if you have anything you want to ask me, or anything you want me to talk about, just ask!
